The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-08-27
THE FAMILY.
BY ELIZABETH CAKES SMITH.

When we consider how carelessly the
foundations for the family superstructure
are laid, the wonder is, not that ruin some
times ensues, but that it is not more gen.
eral than it is now found to be. Two
persons from two already established
families, separate themselves to establish
third, whose tastes, habits, and DISPOSE
tions are little known to each other, and
may prove totally dissimilar and at vari-
ance.
do not intend to speak in this article
upon exceptional cases OF superior wo-
men and imbecile men, Of widows, or ty-
rants whom nothing can humanize, but
of the family or existing household, in
which are laid the foundations of society
where are laid also the foundations Of
thousand insidious diseases which BAT
fe the skill of the most skillful physician;
diseases often to be traced to sickness
of the heart; diseases that make us throw
physic to the dogs" because it can not
minister to mind diseased;
Pluck from the memory rooted sorrow:
Raze out the written troubles of the brain;
And, with some sweet oblivious antidote.
Cleanse the stuff bosom OF that perilous stuff
which weighs upon the hearts"
all this for the present is to be ignored,
and the simple fact of household con-
sidered.
Webster defines family to be; "The
collective body of persons who live in one
house, subject to one head or manager; a
household, including parents and chill
dren, servants, boarders," etc.
In every well-regulated household,
there must be supreme head or umpire
one TO whom all may appeal; and whose
decisions must be final; from whom there
is no appeal; a wise, loving, judicious
center, who is to be looked up to as coun-
selor, friend, Judge. Where authority is
divided conflicts will arise, discussions
will exist, and these will mar the harmo-
ny of the family, disarrange its domestic
economy, and eventually endanger the
happiness and we'll being of the inmates.
Who shall be the head of the house
holdp st. Paul decided the question
nearly two thousand years ago, by assert
ing that man is the head OF the woman"
and she ought to be subject to her hus-
band, etc. I know the masculine AFRO
gance of the Jew denied the equality of
woman, and accepted her in the aspect Of
sex mostly, as Paganism did entirely.
The Jew excluded woman then, as now,
from the main body of the tabernacle in
worship, and yet in the earlier and better
ages she had been recognized in the ma
ton both as Judge and prophecies.
Milton, whose mind was Judaic in char
acter, is decided in regarding women as
inferior to men; she must look up to man,
as TO a god. He says of the two, that he
was subject
ITO God only-she to God through him."
My own opinion is this: that the man
is the righttul, proper head of the family;
that the wife, children, and servants must
and ought to yield not only respect but
obedience 10 him as the head and ruler of
the household; in his place there he
should be king and priest, he should rule
and worship in the sltsr-place of home.
There is something handsome and fit
ting in this, and it is apparent TO the most
casual observer that, when any circum-
stance forces this natural rulership aside
the harmony and dignity of the family
are impaired.
There is a peculiar charm in contem
plating the grand old patriarchs of the
Bible with their great families and de-
pendents, focks and herds, wives and
children, the whole presided over by one
kingly man, we're it not for the question
OF polygamy which naturally thrusts it.
self into the very foreground of thought.
AbrahRm's jealous-minded wife could
not endure a rival, hence her cruelty to
Hagsr and her child, Ishmsel. Then the
two wives of Jacob were equally discord-
ant. The true idea of family is one man
and one woman-as husband and wife
with their children, servants, and de-
pendents. The first law in the house
hold is obedience, in its high sense, to
the head and center.